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The newly elected president of the historical society only recently joined the group in November when he learned about a lack of active members.

“There are elderly members getting up in years and there is a lack of participation,” the 42-year-old Takeo said about the 89-year-old society.

But he hopes to turn things around for the historical society by mixing Welland’s past with today’s technology and social media sites.

“We are currently in the process of revitalizing things,” Takeo said about sprucing up the society.

“We are investigating possibilities of an online presence.”

If someone were to search for Welland’s historical society online, he or she wouldn’t know the Rose City had one — there’s no website and there’s no physical location.

Taking the first step toward giving the society an online presence, Takeo has set up a Facebook page called Friends of the Welland Historical Society and he is using it as a springboard for ideas, generating images and information.

So far, the social media site is working — currently the group has 104 active members involved in it.

Takeo said the historical society has even generated a few more members, although the group is still small.

“It looked like the end for us but we’re still not out of the woods yet.”

After doing his own research, Takeo found the historical society was once very active. It was founded in 1924 with Judge L.C.B Livingstone as its first president and Louis Blake Duff as secretary.

Takeo said the society was instrumental in highlighting the story of Welland, it’s history and its people.

Among its accomplishments was the founding of the Welland Historical Museum as well as the release of a number of publications including What’s In a Name? The Origin of the Street Names for the City of Welland, which is a local bestseller.

“It’s good to be once again active in the community. The word is getting out there slowly,” Takeo said.

But there is a lot of work to do on the part of members before the historical society is alive and well again.

“I wish to see it as a new, revitalized and active organization of people in the community who appreciate history and I want to make sure we do our part to preserve Welland’s history.”

The president described the purpose of the historical society as a way for people to gather together to share their interest in history.

The group gathers on the third Monday evening of every month — meetings typically begin with house keeping issues, followed by presentations or guest speakers.

Takeo said he hopes to see the historical society approach Welland’s history in a different way than just sharing “dry facts.”

“I’d like to approach the more personal stories of people — the heart and soul of history.”

Takeo said this can be done by sharing pictures, peoples’ stories and even videos to give history a more personal approach for people.

He notes the example of a video he found online capturing the Rose City Festival from 1978, which would have been quite the endeavour to undertake at that time.

Whether or not people are members of the society, Takeo said he would like to see more community involvement which could include involving local elementary and high schools to create slideshows and presentations.

For the historical society president, history is much more than what can be found inside of the pages of a textbook — history is ghost walks, it’s cool snaps shots, slideshows and even old memorabilia.

“History is tangible — it’s something that you feel.”

sarah.ferguson@sunmedia.ca

Twitter: s_ferguson25

About the Welland Historical Society

° The Welland Historical Society is 89 years-old.

* It was founded in 1924 with Judge L.C.B Livingstone as its first president and Louis Blake Duff as secretary.

* Newly elected president James Takeo is trying to revitalize the dwindling society.

* The society meets every third Monday of the month.

* All are free to attend. Memberships cost $6 annually.

* The next meeting is March 18 at 6:30 p.m. downstairs in the Welland Historical Museum. The Welland Historical Society is a struggling organization James Takeo hopes to see revitalized.